Desperate for the latest on the catastrophic Texas flooding? On July 4 2025 a historic flash flood ravaged Central Texas particularly Kerr County where Camp Mystic a century-old Christian girls summer camp was hit hard leaving 27 girls missing and at least 51 dead regionwide.
The Catastrophe Unfolds
A freak storm dumped 5 to 15 inches of rain across Texas Hill Country overnight on July 3–4 2025 turning the Guadalupe River into a deadly torrent. In Hunt Texas the river surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes—its second-highest level on record surpassing the deadly 1987 flood.
Camp Mystic a beloved girls camp along the river was overwhelmed as cabins flooded or washed away entirely. I’ve driven those quiet Hill Country roads and it’s hard to imagine the peaceful Guadalupe becoming a wall of water that fast. Of the 700 girls at the camp 27 remain unaccounted for with 43 deaths confirmed in Kerr County alone including 15 children. Across Central Texas the death toll stands at 51 with eight more fatalities in Travis Burnet and Kendall counties.
Rescue Operations in High Gear
Search and rescue efforts are relentless entering their third day on July 6. Over 850 people have been rescued including 160 by helicopter with teams from the Texas National Guard U.S. Coast Guard and Texas Task Force 1 combing the Guadalupe River. Rescuers have found survivors clinging to trees like a young woman swept 12 miles downstream.
Governor Greg Abbott speaking at a July 5 press conference in Kerrville vowed to search every minute until all are found with 14 helicopters 12 drones and boats deployed. A reunification center at Walmart 2106 Junction Highway Kerrville is helping families reconnect though many like Tanya Powell searching for her 21-year-old daughter Ella Rose still wait in agony. The scene—muddy cabins scattered belongings—hits hard and I can’t imagine the fear those girls faced.
Why the Flood Was So Deadly
Central Texas dubbed Flash Flood Alley is prone to rapid flooding due to its limestone hills and dry soils which can’t absorb heavy rain. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch Thursday afternoon but forecasts underestimated the storm’s intensity with 6.5 inches falling in Hunt in three hours—a 1-in-100-year event. By 4:03 a.m. Friday a flash flood emergency was issued but the river had already risen 22 feet in two hours. A 1987 flood killed 10 teens nearby and this event’s speed and scale were worse.
Critics like AccuWeather’s Jonathan Porter argue camp leaders and local officials could’ve acted faster but Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said no one knew this kind of flood was coming as the county lacks a river warning system.
Rising Death Toll and Missing Campers
As of July 6 Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported 43 deaths—28 adults and 15 children—with 12 adults and five children unidentified. At Camp Mystic 27 girls are still missing though Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick cautioned this doesn’t mean they’re lost. Tragic stories are emerging: sisters Blair 13 and Brooke Harber 11 died when their cabin washed away.
Jane Ragsdale co-owner of nearby Heart O’ the Hills camp also perished though no campers were present there. In Travis County four deaths are confirmed with 13 missing and Burnet County reports two dead and six missing. The numbers may rise as searches continue with more rain forecast for Sunday.
Federal and State Response
Governor Abbott expanded an emergency declaration to include Bexar Burnet Caldwell Guadalupe Travis and Williamson counties requesting federal aid from President Trump who promised support via Truth Social saying our brave first responders are on site.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Trump will honor the declaration despite his push to shift disaster response to states. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn are coordinating with officials with Cruz noting Trump’s commitment to provide anything Texas needs. However controversy brews over National Weather Service staffing cuts under Trump’s administration with former NOAA director Rick Spinrad warning that understaffing may weaken forecasting.
How to Help
The Hill Country needs support. Here’s how you can pitch in:
- Donate: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is collecting relief funds. Visit their website or support local efforts like Highland Park United Methodist Church’s vigils in Dallas.
- Share information: Parents are posting photos of missing girls like Hadley Hanna and Lila Bonner on social media. Share these to aid searches as parents’ desperate pleas spread online.
- Stay clear: Roads like FM 1350 and Texas 27 are closed. Avoid the area to ease rescue efforts—I’ve been stuck in traffic during a crisis and it’s no help.
- Follow updates: Check the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office or Texas Division of Emergency Management for real-time info. Texas Public Radio is also tracking developments.
Whats Next for Camp Mystic and the Region
Camp Mystic a 99-year-old institution founded by E.J. Doc Stewart faces an uncertain future. Its campus is in ruins with mud lines six feet high in cabins and personal items scattered. The camp a tradition for Texas families may struggle to rebuild ahead of its 2026 centennial.
The broader Hill Country a tourist hub is grappling with destroyed homes RVs and businesses. More rain is expected Sunday with 2–5 inches possible keeping flood watches active. Climate experts warn that warming temperatures make such extreme storms more likely as a hotter atmosphere holds more water.
A Community in Mourning
The flooding has shattered families and communities. Parents in Dallas Houston and Austin hold vigils refreshing social media for news. Stories like Jonathan and Brittany Rojas whose relatives’ home was reduced to a concrete slab highlight the personal toll.
As rescuers search and families pray the focus remains on finding the missing especially Camp Mystic’s girls. Got ways to help or stories from the ground? Share below and keep checking Texas Public Radio or other news for updates as this tragedy unfolds.